Senior Backend Engineer, Ruby on Rails
GitLab
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Remote
Location: Anywhere in North America
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Job Level
About the role
- Lead backend architecture for Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and text editor capabilities used across GitLab.
- Design and build AI agents that support planning and knowledge management workflows.
- Architect MCP integrations that connect GitLab GraphQL APIs with external AI platforms and tools.
- Drive improvements in reliability and performance across application code, PostgreSQL queries, Redis usage, and background jobs.
- Develop and evolve GraphQL APIs that are clear for frontend engineers and support scalable product experiences.
- Collaborate with frontend engineers, Product, UX, and Security to break down complex work into shippable iterations.
- Mentor engineers through code review, technical discussions, and shared backend best practices.
- Support incident response and production debugging, then turn learnings into lasting system improvements.
Requirements
- Strong experience building and maintaining backend applications with Ruby on Rails, including core components such as ActiveRecord and Redis.
- Experience designing and supporting GraphQL APIs with attention to usability, maintainability, and performance.
- Knowledge of PostgreSQL query design, optimization, and scaling in high-traffic production systems.
- Experience building or integrating AI agents, intelligent workflows, or related platform capabilities.
- Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP) or similar patterns for connecting APIs to external tools and platforms.
- Ability to investigate production issues, debug complex systems, and improve reliability over time.
- Experience leading technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and contributing to engineering standards across a team.
- Clear communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with openness to candidates who bring transferable experience from adjacent backend or platform work.
Benefits
- Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
- Flexible Paid Time Off
- Team Member Resource Groups
- Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Growth and Development Fund
- Parental leave
- Home office support
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
Ruby on RailsActiveRecordRedisGraphQL APIsPostgreSQLAI agentsMCPbackend applicationsperformance optimizationdebugging
Soft Skills
mentoringcommunicationcollaborationtechnical decision-makingproblem-solvingcode reviewtechnical discussionscross-functional teamworkadaptabilityleadership